The Fountain Opened, Part 1 · Doctrine 6
DOCTRINE. VI. When God hath brought his Choſen to bewail their Sins, eſpecially the Affronts which they have Offered to Chriſt, and to Pray to him for Mercy, he will then make a gracious Diſcovery of this Fountain to them.
THE riſe of this Doctrine is from the Coherence of the Text with that which went before. God had promiſed to pour out ſuch a ſpirit upon them, Chap. 12. 10 &c. And here he tells us that in that day this Fountain ſhall be Opened. In the former Doctrine we conſidered this benefit as it refers to the Church in general, and particularly to Gods Ancient people, conſidered as a People: In this we come to take an account of it as it refers to Perſons, and is applyed to men in Converſion; which we are to ſuppoſe to be included in the former, as the ſpiritual aim of it. And that we may come at the right ſenſe of this Doctrine, obſerve theſe Concluſions.
1. That there are thoſe whom God hath choſe… in Chriſt, to be made partakers in his ſaving be… fits. We before obſerved that if we would take the Conſidera…ion of the great affair▪ of Gods grace appearing in the good will that he manifeſts to ſinful man, at the riſe of it, we muſt follow it up to the eternal purpoſe o… God, in which the whole Scheam of it was laid out. Now in this purpoſe of his there was a deſignation of them that ſhould be the ſubjects in whom this Grace was to ſhine forth; and accordingly all was accommodated for the illuſtra…ion of it in ſuch a ſubj…ct. When therefore the Apoſtle diſcourſeth of theſe Spiritual Bleſſings, he runneth them up hither, Eph. 1. 3 4 According a… he hath choſen us in Chriſt &c.
2. That Christ muſt be Opened to theſe as a Fountain for Sin and Uncleanneſs, in order to their▪ being Saved by him. Salvation ſuppoſeth ſomething that they are to be Saved from, which is their preſent miſery. He that is under no evil, needeth no Salvation; they are only the diſtreſſed that want it, or will be advantaged by it. And this Salvation muſt be applyed to the removal of that from which the evil derives: now that which is mans in…lici…y derives from Sin and Uncleanneſs; it is the Guilt and the Pollution of ſin that hurts them. As therefore Chriſt is appointed for this, ſo he muſt be diſcovered to them as ſuch a one, how elſe ſhall they accept of and entertain him as …o? which they muſt do, if ever he profit them; for it is by faith that they receive him, and ſo are advantaged by him.
3. That there is a time when God will Open and Apply Chriſt to theſe. They are born in their natural eſtate ſtrangers to Chriſt, and far from Salvation, Eph 2. 3. We were Children of wrath, even as others. They may live a great while in their Alienation from him, and refuſe him, though he offers himſelf unto them: they ever do ſo till he comes with power. But becauſe he hath choſen them to obtain Salvation by Chriſt, he will therefore bring them to this Fountain, and make them to partake in a title to it, and effectual influences of it upon them: Our Saviour hath plumply aſſerted that in, Joh. 6. 37. All that the Father hath given me ſhall come unto me I… Election hath pitched upon a perſon, Vocation will without fail, ſooner or later find him out, and bring him home.
4. That in order to his ſo Opening this Fountain, he will produce the fore cited effects in them, by the power of his Spirit, viz. a ſpirit of Mourning, and a ſpirit of Supplication. This is the way in which he makes Chriſt Effectual in men, for the ends of his being a fountain to them.
Now for our right taking up of this order, Let us obſerve in general, That we are conſidering of ſuch as are converted to God, under and by the diſpenſation of the Goſpel and Ordinances, and the effectual applicatio… of them. As for Gods proceeding with Elect… Infants, who dy before they are capable o… being ſo treated, we are not now enquiring after that. Here then more particularly … theſe things be conſidered.
1. That we must diſtinguiſh between the Op… ing of the Fountain Doctrinally, and Savingly▪ As to the outward diſcoveries of Chriſt which are made in the Goſpel and Ordinances, they are made to all promiſcuouſly to whom th… means of Grace are ſent, and the great truth… which concern Chriſt and Salvation by him are urged upon them: but where the Spiri… of God doth inwardly reveal Chriſt in th… Souls of any, and makes them ſharers in hi… Salvation, he always brings them to ſuch … frame: ſuch therefore are the only bleſſe… ones, Mat 5. 4 Bleſſed are they that mourn, f… they ſhall be comforted.
2. That we muſt diſtinguiſh between Paſſi… …nd Active Converſion. This diſtinction is generally received among the Orthodox, and …y all them who acknowledge that there are the Habits of Saving Grace infuſed into us; in order to our being able to exert Grace in our lives; and the Apoſtle plainly ſhews the difference, Gal. 5. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. Paſſive Converſion then is that Change which is made in us in Regenera. …, by the infuſion of all ſaving Graces into … of which it is ſaid, 2 Cor. 5. 17. If any …n be in Chriſt Jeſus, he is a new Creatur…. Active Converſion conſiſts in the exerting and …erciſing of theſe Graces. The former is …one by the Spirit alone; in the latter he … operates with us. And we may take from …nce this brief accou…t of the preſent affair.
1. That Gods Elect do many times long deſpiſe the offers of Chriſt that are made to them … the Goſpel. God will have his own to know, that their Converſion, as well as their Salvation, is of Grace, and that they have a nature in them as full of obſtinacy and enmity as others: he therefore leaves them for a ſeaſon, to reſiſt his Spirit, and to ſhew the deſperate malignity that is in them; and they neglect the things of their peace, …wit…ſtand the offers of a Saviour, and quench the motions of the Spirit in them, that accompany the Calls of the Goſpel. This Ephraim confeſſeth of himſelf, Jer. 31. 18. Thou haſt chaſtized me, and I was chaſtized, as a bullock unaccuſtomed to the yoke. Yea, ſometimes violently to oppoſe and perſecute his Church: Such an one was Paul, when a Phariſee, Phil. 3. 6. Touching zeal, perſecuting the Church.
2. That there are ſome common legal works wrought in the Elect, antecedent to their Regeneration, or Paſſive Converſion. The Spirit of God is wont to begin with men by Convictions and Terrors, by ſetting the Law home on their Conſciences, which make them afraid: and thoſe are wrought not only in Gods Children, but in others alſo; and the Elect themſelves do too frequently ſtifle theſe motions, out grow theſe awakenings, and ret… again to their former ſecurity: the time of their new birth is not yet come, and God hereby lets them ſee what enemies they are to their own Salvation, and that if he had not come with Almighty Efficacy to them, they had refuſed him to their deſtruction, as well as others. How many ſuch common works have ſome out▪ grown; and become worſe after them? and yet they have had their months in which God hath taken them, becauſe he had an Immutable love for them. See for this, Iſa. 57. 17, 18. I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart: I have ſeen his ways, and will heal him.
3. That all ſaving qualifications are wrought in them at once, in Paſſive Converſion. When the Spirit of God comes to produce this great Change in the Sinner, he infuſeth into him all his Sanctifying Graces: there is a new man created in him, Eph. 4. 24. There is a perfection of parts, though not of degrees: Sanctification is throughout, 1 Theſ. 5. 23. There is therefore no order in the production of theſe ſaving qualities in the Soul, but they come in all at once. In Converſion whole Chriſt is put …, it is therefore called a new birth, Joh. 3. 3. And it is the babe of Grace which is born, and it hath all its members entire.
4. That God draws the man to exert theſe Graces in Active Converſion, after the manner of a Rational Agent. In the exerting of Grace, the man is not only active, but voluntary too; he acts as a cauſe by Counſel. As therefore there is the Co▪ operation of God in this, as well as his operation in the former, according to, Phil. 2. 13. It is God which worketh in you, to will and to do, of his own good pleaſure. So he works upon the Rational Faculties or Powers that are put into man; and having ſanctified them, he draws them forth to put the new nature into act, upon ſight, deliberation, and with perſwaſion. He is not drawn to it by meer inſtinct▪ but he knows what he doth, and why he doth it: he hath a foundation on which he acts every Grace; he knows whom he believes, in, and why he ſo doth, 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know whom I have believed, and am perſwaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him againſt that day; and ſo of the reſt. God is therefore ſaid to draw …s with the cords of a man, Hoſ. 11. 4.
5. In this Converſion the Soul betakes it ſelf to Chriſt by faith, as to a Fountain opened for Sin and for Uncleanneſs. The great Grace celebrated in the Goſpel is Faith, by which we cloſe with Chriſt for life, wherein we comply with the main Article of the New-Covenant; and therefore Salvation is aſcertained to it, Joh. 3. 16. Whoſoever believes in him, ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life. This Grace is not before▪ the others in being, though it leads in the exerciſe, and doth indeed influence all the other, being that which fetcheth in help from Chriſt for the acting of them. Now Chriſt is the immediate Object on whom Faith fi… eth; it believes in him for all the good that it wants, and ſeeth to be ſtored in him; and that which draws it ſo to rely on him, is the diſcovery it hath made of his ſufficiency and readineſs to anſwer its great neceſſity; which is, to be delivered from the guilt and defilement of ſin; and tha… becauſe it apprehends all this to be fountained in him, that it may be communicated by him to all thoſe that ſtand in need of it; and this it doth upon the invitation given in the Goſpel, to all that are oppreſſed with the burden of ſin, to come to him for ſuccour againſt it.
6. This Faith is always accompanied with true Repentance. In active Converſion theſe two Graces are in conjunction. I ſhall not here meddle with the diſputes, which of theſe two Graces is the firſt: if we ſpeak of their production, they are together, and ſo there is no priority of any Grace, they being created in the ſame inſtant: if we ſpeak of th…ir production, they are together, and ſo there is no priority of any Grace, they being created in the ſame inſtant: if we ſpeak of the order of nature in their activity, Faith muſt have the precedency, becauſe it influenceth all the other; for though there is a Legal Repentance before Converſion, yet that which is Evangelical follows upon it, and is no further pleaſing to God, than as it is exerciſed by faith: but in reſpect to order of time, the man repents and believes at once, and ſo they are together. It is a penitent Faith, and a believing Repentance that is exerted; they are therefore conjoyned, Acts 20. 21. Teſtifying both to the Jews, and alſo to the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
7. For the right exerting of theſe Graces, there is the exerciſe of a Spirit of Mourning, and of Supplication. There is a principle of this, or there is ſuch a Spirit habitually put into the man when he is new made, but the improvement of it is in the practiſing of Faith and Repentance. Here then,
1. For the exerting of true Repentance, he draws out a Spirit of mourning. In Repentance we turn from ſin to God, in which turning, there is not only an abſtinence from the outward acts, but a cordial renouncing and forſaking of thoſe ſins which we rightly repent of; and for that end we muſt be made to ſee them to be evil and miſchievous, and that we have fooliſhly turned from God to them; the genuine effect whereof upon the heart, is to bemoan our ſelves by reaſon of them: and hence the Scripture annexeth mourning unto Repentance, as an inſeparable concomitant of … hence that in, Jer. 31. 18. I have ſurely heard Ephraim bemoaning of himſelf, &c. And for the producing of this mourning, God offers the conviction of the evil and bitterneſs then is in our ſins, Jer. 2 19. Know and ſee that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou haſt forſaken the Lord thy God, &c. Now there are two paſſages to be obſerved in this mourning.
1. He bewails all his Sins. Godly Sorrow is for Sin: that is the procuring cauſe of all the ſorrows that poor man is expoſed unto, and is therefore that which peculiarly calls for our mourning; and this belongs to that ſorrow which the Apoſtle tells us is ſo ſerviceable to true Repentance, 2 Cor. 7. 10, Godly ſorrow worketh repentance not to be repented of. It is by this that we embitter ſin to our ſelves, and ſtir up in us an hatred of it: for, though ſorrow be a mixt Affection, yet it mainly partakes of hatred, which is a ſeparating affection, and makes us to reject the Object of it. Now if this ſorrow be genuine, it is univerſal; it bears a reſpect to all ſin; becauſe if it be right, it is excited by the apprehenſion of the great evil there is in ſin, in the nature, as well as in the effects of it; which evil being in all ſin, it muſt needs extend to all: hence that, Pſalm 119. 104. I hate every falſe way; and where this hatred is, there will be Sorrow for our having hurt our ſelves by it, and therein diſhonoured God.
2. He more peculiarly laments the affronts that be hath offered to Chriſt, who hath been ſet before him in the tenders of Grace. This therefore is peculiarly remarked in, Zech. 12. 10. They ſhall … upon him whom they have pierced, and they ſhall mourn for him, as one mourneth for an only Son, and be in bitterneſs for him, as one is in bitterneſs for his first born. Where the Goſpel comes, and Chriſt is exhibited, together with the need that men have of him by reaſon of …in; the convictions whereof are laid before men to perſwade them of the neceſſity they ſtand in of having him to be their Saviour; and men have made light of theſe invitations which have been given them; they have not been perſwaded of their miſery by Sin, and brought to accept of Chriſt to reſcue them from it, and have accordingly deſpiſed him, neglected him, choſen lying vanities before him, and remained in their unbelief; This is the great provocation under the Goſpel, Joh. 3. 19. This is the Condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men chuſe darkneſs rather than light. This Sin therefore they ſhall peculiarly mourn for and reſent with the greateſt ſorrow.
2. For the exerciſing of Faith, this Spirit of mourning is ever accompanied with a Spirit of Supplication. The firſt breathings and breakings forth of faith, are in prayer. When once Paul was Converted, that is the next news we hear of him, Acts 9. 11. Behold he prayeth. This is the firſt ſign by which the new born Chriſtian diſcovers that he hath life in him. True Prayer ſuppoſeth a principle of faith in the man, …or only ſuch a prayer as is ſpirited with it, is acceptable to, and prevalent with God, Jam. 5. 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much; compare, Chap. 1. 5, 6. Let him ask of God, but let him ask … faith. God hath therefore made it a medium for our participation in the bleſſings engaged in the New Covenant, Ezek. 36. 37. I will yet be enquired of for this by the Houſe of Iſrael to do it for them. In which prayer,
1. He confeſſeth and bewaileth his ſins before God. Confeſſion of ſin is, if not an eſſential part, yet an inſeparable adjunct of prayer, by which ſinful man addreſſeth God for mercy; hence the promiſe ſo runs, Prov. 28. 13. He that confeſſeth and forſaketh ſhall find mercy: And for this reaſon, when God invites back▪ ſliders to return, and promiſeth them acceptance, he enters that caution, Jer. 3. 13. Only acknowledge thine iniquity. Nor indeed can we rightly come to Chriſt for a pardon and cleanſing, unleſs we lay open our malady before him; ſo that there is a tacit confeſſion of Sin in the very petitions that are put up on this account: but God expects that in our ſolemn addreſſing of him, we be explicit in it, Levit. 26. 40. If they confeſs their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their treſ…oſs, &c.
2. He requeſts his Converting Grace. There muſt be a root of Converſion in the man, before he can ſincerely deſire or petition to be Converted; and indeed gracious mourning, confeſſion, and ſupplication, do follow after that inward and transforming work of the Spirit in the man, Jer. 31. 19. After that I was turned, I repented, and after that I was inſtructed, I ſmote upon my thigh; I was aſhamed, &c However, in the actual turning of the Soul to God, the man finds that it is not in his own power to turn himſelf, but that he muſt have it given him of God; and accordingly he asks it of him: thus did Ephraim, verſe 18. Turn thou me, and I ſhall be turned; and God directs Iſrael to uſe ſuch words, Hoſ. 14. 2. Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly; and theſe cries are drawn forth by the efficac… o… preventing▪ Grace.
3 He profeſſeth his acceptance of, and relianc… upon Chriſt for Salvation He acknowledge th… that Chriſt is an All ſufficient Saviour, that▪ there is a fulneſs of vertue in this foun…ain to take away all Sin and Uncleanneſs from him: he anſwers the Call of the Spirit in the Word, and embraceth the promiſe annexed to it, and Echo's back to it with acceptance and▪ gratitude, as, Pſal 27. 8. When then ſaidſt, ſeek ye my face, …ine heart ſaid unto thee, thy face, Lord, will I ſeek Jer 3 22 Return ye ba…kſ…iding Children, and I will heal your backſlidngs; …hold we come unto thee f…r thou art the Lord our God: And t…us is the Everlaſting Covenant paſt between God and him; now is he Unit…d with the Fountain or Grace, and all th… ſaving vertue o… it is derived to him, and this is the uſual method of Divine Grace, i… bringing a Sinner to participate in the ſaving Benefits which were purchaſed by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt for him.
USE I. For Information in two or thre… particulars.
1. We have here a Rule to judge of the Efficacy of the Goſpel in the diſpenſation of it▪ The… is a great deal of reaſo… why the People … God ſhould obſerve, not only who enjo… … Goſpel in which Chriſt is opened to men, …d where it is that Chriſt is moſt clearly and …ſtinctly declared in his whole work; but al… what fruit or efficacy there is of it; how …r the vertue of this fountain for the ends of … being opened, is made evident by the effects …f it upon men: and though the work of Ap…cation, wherein Chriſt is made to us Righ…ouſneſs and Sanctification, for the pardoning …d cleanſing of our ſin, be a ſecret work, and … man can certainly know it of another, ex…pt by extraordinary Revelation; and though … things which are the concomitants of this, …d evidence to it, viz. A ſpirit of mourning …d ſupplication, are not ſo obvious, but that … may be miſtaken about them, inaſmuch … there may be ſecret Prayer, and bewailing … ſin, that is ſincere, and accepted with God, …hich makes no noiſe; and there may be a …ew of much of this, but whether it be ſincere, …d proceeds from ſuch a ſpirit given to us, … be judged of only Charitably; yet there … uſually ſo much to be diſcerned on …is account, by ſuch as obſerve the times, as …ay make the hearts of ſuch as fear God, Glad … Sad, and many times there are too awful …idences of the general prevailing of the con…ary ſpirit, by the notorious appearance of …ch things as are inconſiſtent with this. If …e ſpeak on a publick account, when God in…ds to pour out much grace upon a People, he will give a ſpirit of mourning and prayer and therefore when there is but a little of thi… and much of the contrary to be obſerve… when it is as, Iſa. 22. 12, 13. In that day di… the Lord God of hoſts call to weeping, and to mour… ing, and to baldneſs, and to girding with ſackcloth▪ and behold joy, and gladneſs, ſ…aying of oxen, an… killing of ſheep, eating fleſh, and drinking wi…e … let us eat and drink, for to morrow we ſhall▪ dy… When inſtead of reforming the ſins that a… among men, there is nothing mended, but the… rather grow worſe; it ſaith, that if there w… a ſpirit of mourning, it would not be ſo. A… when Prayer is neglected; particularly in Families, and there are ſo many houſes withou… it, as is complained, it is to be ſuppoſed t… ſecret Prayer is neglected too; and muc… more that the ſpirit of Supplication is greatl… wanting. Nay, though there be many Faſ… kept, for the bemoaning of the prevailing ſ… making of humble confeſſions of them u… God, and asking of his pardon and healing … yet if this be all, and there is nothing amende… nor is the work of the preſent day in this r… gard purſued; it will beſpeak, that the day …o… the plentiful accompliſhment of this promi… that we have under our preſent conſideratio… doth not as yet commence. And let ſerio… Chriſtians judge by ſuch Rules, and ſay, wh… ther they do not ſee great occaſion for Lam… tation on this account. The ſame obſervatio… is alſo applicable to particular perſons.
2. We may hence learn what little reaſon the …oſt have to boaſt of Christ as a Fountain of Salvation to them. It muſt needs be a ſad ſight, …o ſee with what ſecurity and confidence the generality do nouriſh themſelves, as if they …othing doubted of a title to Chriſt, and life …y him, and take it amiſs to have the reality …f it ſo much as queſtioned, who yet cannot …ear the teſt of the truth in hand, but muſt …eds fall before it, and ſtand condemned by it. … it be, as it is, a great truth, that where God …pplies Chriſt to men, in the benefits which he …th purchaſed for Sinners, he pours out upon …em a ſpirit of mourning and ſupplication, …ertainly then, all▪ ſuch as are without ſuch a …irit, muſt needs be ſtrangers to ſuch an Ap…lication: and without doubt, where ſuch a …irit is put into men, there will be the exerting …f it in their lives and practices. When there…ore there is nothing of this, but the quite …ontrary notoriouſly appearing, ſuch mens …ith muſt needs be preſumption, and their …oaſting is of a falſe gift. Think of this then, …l you who are ſo far from mourning for …our ſins, that you can live in them quietly & …ontentedly, nay you Rejoyce in iniquity, and …ke the greateſt Satisfaction in gratifying of …our carnal luſts, who are never well, but when …ou are Deviſing miſchief on your beds, and put…ng it in practice as ſoon as opportunity affords; you that can make a mock of ſin, that can Drink your ſtollen waters, and eat your bread in ſecret, and wipe your mouths, and ſay, we have done no wickedneſs. You that can boaſt of your lewd pranks, and ſhew your ſin as Sodom, and hide it not; you that joy… hand in hand with your lewd companions, and encourage one another in your wicked courſes, ſurely you never had the healing vertue of this fountain applied to you; and to hope to have your ſins pardoned, and yet not cleanſed, is a vain hope. Think of this alſo all you Prayerleſs ones, who inſtead of calling upon Gods name, abuſe it, and take it in vain by your profane taking it into your mouths; who can live days, and mouths, and years without ſo much as a formal addreſſing of God; whoſe houſes will one day riſe up againſt you, and teſtify that you never Prayed in them, either by your ſelves, or with your families; who never carried your iniquities to God as a burden too heavy for you to bear, and with ſtrong cryes beſought him to take them away by a free pardon, and powerful purging. Let all ſuch know, that how preſumptuouſly ſoever you may now cry, Lord, Lord, there is a time coming, if mercy prevent not, when he will ſay, I never knew you, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity. And be not deceived, for God is not mocked.
3. This ſhews us who they are that are like to enjoy the cleareſt diſcoveries, and moſt plentiful applications of Chriſt to them: certainly they are ſuch unto whom God imparts the largeſt meaſure of a ſpirit of mourning and ſupplication. Where God intends to build higheſt, he will lay the foundation loweſt. The greateſt ſpiritual mou…ners are appointed for the more abundant conſolations. They are the humble and contrite whom God delights to dwell with, and to revive, Iſa. 57. 15. Chriſts anointing had a ſpecial regard for ſuch as theſe, and therefore his applications will be eminently made to them, Iſa. 61. begin. The Lord hath anointed me, &c. to bind … the broken hearted, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for aſhes, the oyl of joy for mourning, the garment of praiſe for the ſpirit of heavineſs, &c. Doth God then bring you into Godly Sorrow? Doth he make Sin bitter to you? Doth he fill you with grief at, and cauſe you deeply to bewail your Sins before him? be not diſcouraged, but take i… as a good Omen, and wait for the Conſolations of his Spirit; remember what he hath ſaid, Pſal. 126. 5. They that ſow in tears, ſhall reap in joy. It is alſo certain, that when God excites in us an heart to pray to him, and fills us with ardent deſires, and groans unutterable, after him for his grace, for his pardoning, for his cleanſing of us, and we cannot let him alone; it is a ſign that he hath great mercies to beſtow on us, which in this way he will communicate to us. God, who hath promiſed that his ſhall pray unto him (and it is he who giveth prayer to his own) hath aſſured us of a gracious audience, and a good return to our prayers, Jer. 29. 12, 13, 14. Then ſhall ye call upon me, and ye ſhall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you, and ye ſhall ſeek me and find me, &c. Be not then diſcouraged; and though you may not at preſent experience thoſe ſenſible apprehenſions of the efficacy of the Fountain, for the taking away of your Sin, yet doubt not that God will in the beſt way do it for you, and give you the experience, of it to your abundant Conſolation. God will exalt his Grace on you in this way, and make it to appear how great is his kindneſs to you, in taking off your Guilt, and waſhing away your pollution: And when you are ſuitably prepared ſo to glorifie him, he will fill you with the diſcoveries of his love, for which you ſhall admire him for ever.
USE II. For Examination, Let us hereby prove whether ever this Fountain were ſavingly Opened to us, and it concerns all to put themſelves upon this Trial. For Motive then, Conſider,
1. You are all by Nature under the guilt and defilement of Sin. Sin and Uncleanneſs are hereditary to all Adams Children, and they derive to them in the Channel of Natural Generation; for this we are told, Eph. 2. 3. We …e Children of wrath, even as others; and he demands and reſolves, Job 144 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. This then is the condition in which every one is born. Adams Firſt Tranſgreſſion was ours by a legal Imputation, and his corrupt Image which he contracted, inſtead of Gods Image which he loſt, is ours by Propagation; and thus we come into the world guilty and filthy Creatures, Pſal. 51. 5. Behold, I was ſhapen in …iquity, and in Sin did my Mother conceive me. And this Guilt and Defilement are encreaſed by all the actual ſins that we have committed ſince we came into the World.
2. Except this be done away, it will be your ruine. All Sin in its own nature and operation is deadly. Sin and Death are cloſely connected each with the other, Rom. 5. 12. By one man ſin came into the world, and death by ſin. The guilt that ahderes to ſin binds the man under the Curſe, and that is Death, Ezek. 18. 4. The Soul that ſinneth, it ſhall dy. The Law …ath already paſt the Sentence upon the man, and unleſs it be removed it will without fail take place on him: and the defilement of ſin is it ſelf the very ſpiritual death of the Soul: it hath deprived the man of the life of Sanctification, and he can no more perform a gracious action, than a dead man can a life action; hence that expreſſion, Eph. 2 1. Ye were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins. So that as long as it abides on him, he cannot at all anſwer the end of his Creation.
3. Nothing elſe can do it for you but this Fountain. There is a ſufficiency of vertue in it for this end; God provided it for this very purpoſe, and he doth nothing in vain: it therefore never failed of producing this effect, where it was ſavingly applied. But except you repair hither, all your other attempts will prove loſt labour: this Salvation is no where elſe to be had, Acts 4. 12. There is nothing elſe that can expiate the Guilt of ſin, or make atonement to the Juſtice of God for the remiſſion of it, but this one Sacrifice of Chriſt: thouſands of rams will not procure it, God therefore blows upon them with contempt, Mic. 6. 6, 7, 8. Nor will all the waters of Abana and Pharpar cleanſe this Leproſy; it is only the Blood of Chriſt is cleanſing, and that Blood doth cleanſe from all ſin, 1 Joh 1. 7.
4. Except it be applied to you it will not have this ſaving efficacy. Chriſt doth not profit all▪ although his vertue be ſufficient, yet all are not pardoned and healed by him: there are multitudes that periſh in their ſins notwithſtanding; and that not only of thoſe to whom he was never revealed in the Goſpel, but of ſuch alſo, who have been told of, and invited to come to him: and whence is this, but becauſe application hath not been made of him to them for this end? Sinners that are outwardly called, periſh as well as others, and the reaſon … becauſe they do not anſwer the Call, and come to the waters, the threatning is therefore declared againſt ſuch, Prov. 1. 24. &c. Becauſe I have called and ye refuſed, &c. I will alſo laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear …, &c.
5. Till then you know that he hath been thus applied to you, your condition muſt needs be dubious. It is from the work of Application that we …e to fetch our evidence of our ſafe eſtate. It is not enough that there is a Chriſt, and that he is a Fountain of Salvation, but is he …rs? for this reaſon Profeſſors are put upon it to prove and try themſelves; and the enquiry is not, whether there be ſuch a Fountain, and there be a fulneſs in it, but whether Chriſt be in us, 2 Cor. 13. 5. Know ye not your own ſelves, how that Chriſt is in you, except ye be Reprobates? And hence we have ſuch an expreſſion, Col. 1. 27. Chriſt in you the hope of Glory. And though, if the thing be ſo, your ſtate is out of danger, yet till you know that it is ſo, you cannot enjoy inward quiet or ſatisfaction.
6. There are many who cheat themſelves with falſe hopes on this account. The natural ſecurity in ſinful man, makes him ready to take eaſy ſatisfaction about his good eſtate; and the deluſions of Satan, and the falſe reports of a carnal mind, and the fair ſhews which there are in a common work of the Spirit, a… ſnares which they are entangled by: there … upon this account great need to be cautione… againſt raſh preſumption, leſt otherwiſe you labour of a pernicious miſtake; thus the Apoſtle to them, 1 Cor. 6. 9. Be not deceived.
7. The Doctrine in hand affords you a ſure Rule of Trial. Whatſoever difference there may be, in the manner or degree of mourning, o… of the impreſſions which are made on th… Conſcience, by the Terrors of the Lord; yet▪ when God makes the Goſpel effectual for the application of the vertue of this Fountain to a Sinner, he always gives a Spirit of Mourning and Prayer; i. e. He gives Grace to mourn and pray after a Godly manner: If therefore you can diſcover this to be in you, and are not miſtaken about it, you have an evidence that will not deceive you. Put your ſelves then upon the trial of them ſeverally, and that by ſuch Rules as follow.
1. Hath God poured upon you a Spirit of mourning for Sin? have you received the Grace of God by ſorrow? And for proof of this,
1. Did you ever mourn at all for Sin? if not, this Trial is reſolved at once. He that never mourned for ſin, did never partake in the ſaving vertue of this fountain: and it is to be feared that a great many forward Profeſſors will fall at this firſt Trial. There are many that build high, but did never dig for a foun…tion. The ſtony ground hearers Religion …egins with joy, as, Mat. 13. 20. He heareth …e word, and anon with joy receiveth it. It may …e you have mourned for the fruits of ſin, for …our outward loſſes, bereavements, reproach…s, pains, &c. but it hath not been the Sin that procured them, but the things themſelves …hat ſtirred up your ſorrow: and if the Sin it …elf was not bitter to you, you never repaired …o the Grace of Chriſt to take it away.
2. Have you mourned after a Godly ſort? It may be you have been touched with remor…es of Conſcience, & Sin hath been ſet home upon you with terror: but that may be, and yet be only a part of the puniſhment of Sin in this life: there is therefore a double ſorrow for ſin, Godly and Worldly: 2 Cor. 7. 10. And is yours a Godly one? Try it by theſe things.
1. Have you ever felt the bitterneſs of Sin it ſelf? Many an one finds ſorrow by his ſins, and is forced to acknowledge that his Sin hath brought it upon him, who yet is not led by it to ſee and believe that Sin is in its own nature ſo vile and evil as to be odious. It may be he only reads it in the Law, and he ſees that God will maintain his own Law; but mean while he lays the blame, not on the ſin that procured his ſorrow, but on the Law that had ſuch a Sanction in it: and he is therefore ſorry for his ſin, only becauſe he is ſorry that there is ſuch a Law, that will not ſuffer him to ſi… with impunity: this is no Godly Sorrow: it … not acted by Humility, but by pride an… prejudice; and he ſaith as they, Ezek. 33. 10▪ If our tranſgreſſions and our ſins be upon us, an… we pine away in them, how ſhall we then live?
2. Have you been deeply oppreſsed with the burden of ſiri, ſo as thereby to be made weary of it? Though God improves the troubles and miſchiefs procured by Sin, to bring us to ſee the evil of it, and cry out by reaſon of th… bitterneſs there is in it, yet in a kindly mourning, ſin it ſelf is made to be a burden that we cannot tell how to bear, and hereupon we long to be rid of it, and earneſtly ſeek after a freedom from it; thus it was with Paul, Rom. 7 24. Oh wretche… man that I am, wh… ſhall deliver the from the body of this death? We ſeek a par…, for we are undone without it: but we …eek the death of Sin too, nor can we be at quie… but in the aſſurance and experience of the beginning of it in us, and a comfortable perſwa…on that it will ere long be wholly deſtroyed: hence that groan of his, Pſal▪ 38. 4. Mine iniquities are gone over mine hea…, as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
3. Hath your mourning reached to, and fined upon the ſin of your nature? It is not enough to have bewailed this or that particular actual Sin, although God uſually makes the conviction …f, and the ſorrow for ſuch, to be leading to …he other: but he that hath truly mourned for Sin, hath been led up from thence to the fountain of corruption which is within, and that hath driven him to ſeek after the Fountain of Grace which is in Chriſt: and always true mourning ceaſeth not, till it cometh hither, and lays out its greateſt lamentations here: thus it did in David, in the forecited, Pſal. 51. 5. And in the Church, Iſa. 64. 6. We are all as an unclean thing; and in Paul, Rom. 7. 21. I find a law, that when I would do good, evil is preſent with me▪
4. Hath this ſorrow wrought in you unto a true Repentance from Sin? Repentance is one of the ſaving works of the Spirit wrought in Application: and wherever Chriſt is communicated to any as a fountain of Grace, there will be this effect of it. Now Godly Sorrow is an ingredient of this Repentance, and therefore if it be right, it will ever accompany ſuch a thing. Repentance is a cordial turning from Sin to God: Sorrow for ſin is that which helps and promoves this turning, if it be kindly; for it is a ſeparating Affection, and as it derives from hatred of that which procures our trouble, ſo it will expreſs it, in carrying us away from it; hence that, 2 Cor. 7. 9. Ye ſorrowed to Repentance, for ye were made ſorry after a godly manner. I… then ye have mourned never ſo bitterly for Sin, yet if you have not reached to ſuch a Repentance, it hath not been right, nor will it evidence your being in Chriſt.
5. Hath this ſorrow kindled in you an univerſal hatred of Sin? When God embitters ſin to us, it is to make us to loath it; and if this hatred be of the right ſtamp, it will not only be againſt that one ſin that hath done us the preſent ſenſible harm, but all of the kind, but every thing that bears the nature of ſin on it; we can ſay as he, Pſal. 119. 104. I hate every falſe way. And the reaſon is, becauſe▪ if we mourned for ſin under the conſideration of its being ſin, we ſhall be engaged againſt every other ſin, in which we ſee the ſame grounds of hatred or deteſtation. He that mourns for one ſin, and can in the mean while hug another in his boſome, and dally with it, doth not mourn aright for any.
6. Hath your ſorrow lookt back to the ſins of Youth? Where God doth indeed give a ſpirit of mourning, he will make a thorough work of it, he will lead the Soul into a ſoaking conſideration of all that hath been grievous to his holy ſpirit; he will bring to mind old ſins, & thoſe that had been forgotten before, and embitter them to us, and the reaſon is becauſe thoſe ſins alſo muſt be repented of, for which there muſt be a ſuitable ſorrow. Time will not wear off the Guilt of any ſin, but Chriſt muſt cleanſe it with his blood, and in order thereto we muſt carry it to him for cleanſing; and we cannot do ſo aright, but by bemoaning our ſelves before him for it. David therefore in his addreſs to God runs up hither, Pſal. 25 7. Remember not the ſins of my youth, nor my tranſgreſſions.
7. Have you in you an habitual frame of ſpiri…al mourning? Godly ſorrow is not a land-flood, that is raiſed by ſome ſtorm, and is dried up again ſoon after that is over, but it is a living ſpring, it is an habitual Grace in the Soul, and for that reaſon it is called a Spirit of Grace, Chap. 12. 10. And this appears in a conſtant promptitude to mourn for ſin upon every occaſion. Every ſight of ſin ſtirs up this Godly ſorrow. When ever you feel any ſtirrings of Concupiſcence within, it makes you to cry out, Oh wretched man, who ſhall deliver me, Rom. 7. 24. If at any time you are over taken with any ſin, it makes you to groan, and bewail your ſelves, and ſay as he, Pſal. 38. 18. I will declare mine iniquity, I will be ſorry for my ſin. Nay, if you ſee others to ſin, though they commit it without remorſe, yet you cannot but mourn for it, as he, Pſal. 119. 136. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, becauſe they keep not thy law. And Verſe 158. I beheld the tranſgreſſours and was grieved, becauſe they kept not thy word.
8. Have you been duly affected in particular with the Affronts which you have offered to Jeſus Chriſt? This is ſpecifyed, Chap. 12. 10. They ſhall look upon me whom they have pierced, & they ſhall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only ſon, and be in bitterneſs for him, as one that is i… bitterneſs for his firſt born. There is nothing more bitter to one that is truly Converted, than the ill entertainment that he hath given to a Saviour, who came to him, and offered himſelf to be one to him. It may be you have led a ſober life, and cannot charge your ſelves with the immoralities which others have fallen into: but you have lived under the Calls of the Goſpel, and have been many a time invited, and ſollicited to come to Chriſt, to take him for a Saviour; but you have made light of it, neglected him, been content without him; you have often been inwardly ſtriven with by the motions of the Spirit, but you have quenched them, and grieved him thereby: You have lived in your unbelief and been contented ſo to do; you have had a low eſteem of him, and of his Salvation; you have relied on your own Righteouſneſs, and not ſubmitted to his; you ſought him not, would not come to him for life; and thus you went on from year to year, till he came to awaken and bring you home to himſelf Now all theſe things come to mind, and they carry an emphatical conſideration in them to make you vile in your own eyes, and bewail your impenicence. If ever you looked to Chriſ… with an eye of faith, it hath been with a mournful eye.
2. Have you experienced a ſpirit of Supplicati…? We obſerved that it is inſeparable from … former: and would you be rightly in…med about this, prove your ſelves by theſe …ings.
1. Have you found kindled in you a reſtleſs …eſire to be delivered from Sin? True prayers …e the offering up of our real and cordial de…es unto God; and hence by diſcovering the …uth of our deſires, we may come to know …hat our Prayers are. Now there is none …at prays aright againſt ſin, but he that longs …ſatiably to be rid of it. There are many … pray to have thoſe miſeries removed which …ey undergo for ſin; but this is but Howling, …d not Praying: that is a right expreſſing of …ur requeſt on this account, Hoſ. 14. 2. Take …ay all iniquity. But the heart muſt go with … which it will never do, till we are weary … ſin, and the preſence of it is an heavy bur…en to us.
2. Have you found that this deliverance is no …here elſe to be had? The right prayer, which …od hears and accepts, is the prayer of the …edy, the poor, and the deſtitute, Pſal. 102. 17. Chriſts Office is to Succour him that hath no …elper, Pſal. 72. 12. As ſuch therefore he ex…cts that we come, ſaying as, Hoſ 14. 3. Aſhur all not ſave us, &c. For in thee the fatherleſs …leth mercy. And that we may thus pray, it requiſite that we have a deep ſence imprinted on us, that this is our condition. God makes the Soul to deſpair of any ſuccour from any other hand, he is not only in a pit where ther… is no water, but his eyes fail him, Iſa. 41. 17. He finds himſelf to be engulphed in the waves o… deſtruction, and cryes out as they when juſ… ready to be ſwallowed up, Math 8. 25. Lord ſave us, we periſh.
3. Have you been encouraged to go to God I… Prayer for this with hope? A ſpirit of Supplication is a gracious frame, that is put into the heart by the ſpirit of God; and there are the Graces that are uſed in the exerting of it: the principal of theſe is Faith, and the firſt ſtirring of it is uſually in Hope; which hope is alway… at work, and moveth in the genuine prayers o… the people of God. This hope hath not always alike ſtrength in it; but yet it hath tha… degree of it, whereby we are enabled to loo… with ſome expectation of receiving the good we ask for, at the hands of God. In you… diſtreſs by reaſon of ſin, you reſolved to go to God for help againſt it; and what was it tha… drew out this reſolution? was it not an apprehenſion that Chriſt was ſuch a …ountain fo… ſin, and at leaſt a reſolve that the thing i… not impoſſible; thus therefore he argued, J… 3 9. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, & turn away from his fierce anger, that we periſh not
4. Have you freely confeſſed your ſins in the Aggravations of them? Right con…eſſion alway… …ows from a ſpirit of Prayer. God expects it, Jer. 3. 13. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou haſt tranſgreſſed againſt the Lord thy God, &c. David therefore tells us in what way he went for, and how he obtained a pardon, and the healing of his ſins, Pſal. 32. 5. I ſaid I will confeſs my tranſgreſſions unto the Lord, and thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my ſin. And this confeſſion hath been full and free, and without any covers; for he there ſaith, Mine iniquity have I not hid. It is a falſe heart that petitions help againſt ſin, and in praying for it pleads excuſes and extenuations: This proceeds from … ſpirit of bondage, and not from a ſpirit of Adop…ion.
5. Have you humbled your ſelves to Gods foot in your Prayers to him? A ſpirit of Prayer is a Soul humbling, a Soul-abaſing ſpirit; hence that, Pſal. 9. 12. He forgetteth not the cry of the humble: and 10. 17. Lord, thou haſt heard the deſire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cauſe thine ear to hear. He that prays as he ought to God, for pardon and acceptance in Chriſt, is deeply ſenſible of his great vileneſs by reaſon of ſin, and of his utter unworthineſs of mercy; and hence he goes with … rope on his head, and ſackcloth on his loyns, i. e. He re…gns himſelf to God, with all the Teſtimonials of his acknowledging that he hath no dependence on any thing but free Grace; that he hath nothing of his own, nor can he oblige God, he therefore carries that with him in, Dan. 9. 8. 9. To us belongs confuſion of face; to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveneſſes, And his addreſs is in that form, Pſal. 25. 11. For thy name ſake O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.
6. Have you Prayed for the Purging as well & as earneſtly as for Pardon? Doubtleſs he that knows what it is to be Guilty before God, will be very importunate in asking forgiveneſs, and well he may, for who can ſtand before Gods ang… But a kindly reſentment of Guilt, ſo as to juſtify God who condemns, will be accompanied with an apprehenſion of the vileneſs of ſin; and that will make us weary of the preſence of it, and to loath our ſelves for it, which will draw out our cryes to have it taken away; both theſe therefore are included in that, Ho…. 14 2. Take away all iniquity.
7. Are your Prayers importunate, or in good earneſt? There are many that pray in good words, and it may be with much of noiſe too, and yet not from a Spirit of Supplication: they are not importunate and cordial requeſts which they put up. He that is in earneſt, will take no denial, but will preſs with greateſt urgency and reſolution: One of the Ancients complains of himſelf, that when he prayed againſt his Luſts, he was afraid leſt God ſhould anſwer him: this was not from the Spirit of Grace; and if you are in good …arneſt, you will watch the anſwer of your prayers, to ſee what return there is of them▪ Pſal. 85. 10. I will hear what God the Lord will ſay. 1…0. 5. My Soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning:
8. Do you perſevere in Prayer? As it is the duty of all Gods People ſo to do, Eph. 6. 18. Praying always, &c. watching thereunto with all perſeverance. So it is one property of the Spirit of Prayer, and there is a double perſeverance to be eyed in this; you are conſtant and unwearied in your duty, you pray without ceaſing, 1 Theſ. 5. 17. You reſolve as, Pſal. 116 2. I will call upon him as long as I live. And you hold on in it againſt all that would diſcourage you. If you have not a preſent anſwer according to deſire, it doth not beat you off; but quickens your ardour, and you ſay as, Iſa. 8. 17. I will wait on the Lord, who hideth his face: If he repulſe you, you turn his very repulſes into arguments, as that poor woman did, Mat. 15. 25, 26.
9 And doth the ſenſe of ſin always drive you to Prayer? Do your Conſciences at any time reflect, and charge Guilt on you? Doth this always bring you upon your knees, and cauſe you to pour out your hearts in ſupplication? Do you find the ſtirrings of inward Concupiſcence, and the Law in your members warring againſt the law of your mind? What courſe do you take to get it mortified? Is prayer now not neglected? Theſe are the motions of a Spirit of Supplication in a Child of God. This courſe we find David is on all occaſions taking in the Pſalms.
USE III. For Exhortation, in ſeveral particulars.
1. Let this point awakened Sinners in what way to ſeek after Chriſt. Certainly, when God ſets Sin home upon the Conſcience of a Sinner, it calls aloud to him to repair to the fountain. And would you go to it, ſo as to participate in the ſaving efficacy of it? then,
1. Do it mournfully. Dry addreſſes to God are inſignificant things, and will find no acceptance. Beg of God then to beſtow ſuch a Spirit upon you, and labour to expreſs it with all ſuitable deportment. Labour therefore to embitter your Sin to your ſelves, with all the proper conſiderations that may make it vile, and fill you with the deepeſt ſenſe of your miſery by reaſon of it. This is the only way for you to give God his glory both of his Righteouſneſs in condemning you, and his rich mercy in pardoning and healing you. You will never come humbly, unleſs you come mourning: and this is the way to obtain the bleſſing from him. God takes diſtinct notice of this, and he is pleaſed with it; ſee, Jer. 31. 18, with 20. I have ſurely heard Ephraim bemoaning himſelf, &c. Is Ephraim my dear Son? &c. And we find that Chriſt was anointed purpoſely for the relief of ſuch, Iſa. 61. begin.
2. Do it with Supplications. If ever God giveth you the experience of the vertue of the Fountain in you, for the taking away of your Sin and Uncleanneſs, he will make you to pray for it; he hath ſaid, Ezek. 36. 37. I will be ſought to, &c. Seek his face and favour, confeſs your ſins, and keep not ſilence; ſeek to him in Chriſt's name, and preſent your petition before him: this is the right returning to God, Joel 2. 12. By thus doing you will acknowledge Chriſt to be the Fountain of Grace, when you do ſeek it of him, and call upon him for it. And for your encouragement, know it, that if you do indeed thus ſeek him, you ſhall find him. If a perſecuting Saul prays to him, he obſerves it, and accepts it of him, Acts 9 11. Behold he prayeth. Yea he hath ſaid, Pſal. 50. 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee and thou ſhalt glorify me.
2. Let this ſtir up mourners to pray. Are there any, whoſe ſins are made their burden, and they are in bitterneſs by reaſon of them? inſtead of nouriſhing deſpondent and deſpairing thoughts in you, and making you to hide away from God, let it drive you to him, to ſeek his face and favour, his pity and pardon: let it draw forth that requeſt from you in Pſa. 41. 4. Heal my Soul for I have ſinned againſt thee. This is the fitteſt poſture to pray in, and God is ready to hear ſuch in their Souls diſtreſs, that cry unto him for his help; David puts both together, Pſal. 6. 8, 9. The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping: the Lord hath heard my ſupplication. It is good to come unto God in ſuch a caſe, and make an argument of it, as he did, Iſa. 38. 14. Oh Lord, I am oppreſſed, undertake for me.
3. Let the Children of God nouriſh this ſpirit in them. A Spirit of mourning and of ſupplication is the proper Evangelical Spirit; it is therefore one of the properties that belong to them whom Chriſt hath pronounced bleſſed, Mat. 5. 4. Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted. Nor is it only proper in our firſt returning to God, but you will have occaſion to uſe it as long as you live: while you carry about with you a body of death, you will never be without occaſion for bitter mourning and lamentation; you will ſee reaſon to go ſoftly all your days; and as long as Sin ſtirs in you, and leads you into Captivity, you will need the pity and help of God, the vertue and efficacy of the fountain to derive freſh ſupplies of pardon and healing to you; and therefore prayer is a duty that you cannot do without; and no prayer is acceptable to God, but what proceeds from ſuch a ſpirit.
4. Be we here directed what to pray for, and endeavour to promote in others. We ought to ſeek and uſe means for the Salvation of Sinners, and peculiarly for thoſe to whom we are tied by the bonds of near relation; and if ever they be ſaved, they muſt repair to this fountain for it; and if they ſo do, and ſucceed, it muſt be with mourning and ſupplication. Let us then uſe means to bring them to this, by ſhewing them their need, and ſhewing them where their help is, and how it is alone to be obtained; and let us bring them to God, and ask for them this grace: and if we ſee them brought into diſtreſs, and made to enquire how they may find redreſs, let us nouriſh this in them, and not go about to ſuppreſs or ſtifle it.
5. This calls all thoſe on whom God hath poured ſuch a Spirit, to Thankfulneſs to him for it. Hath God given us truly to mourn and pray by reaſon of Sin, he hath done us an unconceivable kindneſs; there is no greater token of his Everlasting Love; it ſaith that he hath been laying a foundation for eternal life in us; theſe tears, and theſe cries have ſolid conſolation in them; they are his gift, and he gave them to us that ſo he might bring us to himſelf, and put us into the way of bleſſedneſs. Let this then be one thing for which we praiſe him, and let this nouriſh and ſtrengthen ſuch a frame in us, to conſider that eternal joy is ſecured to it, for we are aſſured in, Pſal. 126. 5, 6. They that ſow in tears, ſhall reap in joy; he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious ſeed, ſhall doubtleſs come again rejoycing, bringing his ſheaves with him.
FINIS.
Rather than this Page ſhould ſtand Empty, the Reader may be gratified with the laſt Clauſe of Dr. Thomas Goodwin's Expoſition of the Revelation: which is as followeth;
AND for the JEWS Call, which is conjunct with this Killing & Riſing of the Witneſſes: As it depends not upon ordinary Means to effect it, ſo there are like to be no Preparations at all unto it, until it comes (as there are not for Things extraordinary) but a Nation ſhall bring forth in a Day: as the Prophet ſpeaks. And ſo, in the very Year before it, there will be no more outward Appearrances, or Probabilities of it, than there are now, or than there have been many hundred Years ſince. And therefore our Faith need not be put off from this, by the ſeeing as yet no Stirrings or Motions at all unto it, or towards it. And the Truth is, both the Killing and Riſing of the Witneſſes, and alſo the Calling of the JEWS, may fall out ſooner than we are aware of.